Posts Tagged ‘cycling’
Guide to Choosing the Right Bike For You
June 11, 2011
Modern society is becoming more and more conscious of health and the environment, and with good reason. One way that many people are taking a positive approach to this is by turning to bicycles as a method of transport, a form of exercise and for recreation. In recent years the cycle market has boomed; with so many shapes, sizes and models out there, how do you know what to go for?
A bike that has been consistently popular in more recent years is the mountain bike. Compared to the amount of people that own a mountain bike, very few actually take to the mountains on two wheels on a regular basis. However, the appeal lies with their sturdy structure and ability to tackle most terrains. This sounds great in practice, as you can tackle most terrains with ease. However, this may not be practical for every day use.
Of course, big chunky tyres provide lots of grip and help to prevent against dastardly punctures. However, the grip may well be excessive for the concrete city and could actually make cycling more difficult.
Road bikes and single speed bikes have become somewhat a fashion accessory for city dwellers in recent years. Retro bikes are back in fashion with vintage models selling for big bucks. Not only are they stylish, they’re practical. Slick road tyres and a single speed that is suitable for getting around the concrete city quickly and with ease.
Born in the 1970s, the BMX was designed for Bicycle Moto Cross, which is racing on dirt tracks with jumps and sharp corners. Today, these bikes are commonly used as a quick way to get around town. They are not the most comfortable bikes in the world but they are quick and easily manoeuvrable. Before you choose which bike is right for you, should take careful consideration and determine exactly how you plan to use your bike.
When you’ve chosen the right bike for the job, keep your machine in pristine working condition with Park Tools.
Great UK Cycling Trails
June 5, 2011
Cycling is a great way of seeing new places. Not only do you get the satisfaction of being active, but you also get to see things at a better pace for taking everything in, as well as having a better chance of seeing wildlife than in a car. But it helps to know some good routes for cycling to get things started. If you’re lucky enough to live near to one of these locations then they’re definitely worth a look.
Grizdale Forest is a gem in the already lush Lake District. The Forest is dotting with interesting things such as woodland sculptures, adventure trails and refreshments areas too. Once there you’ll find that the routes can be pleasantly challenging, but they’re all designed for bikes, so you won’t find yourself competing with traffic of getting lost too easily. It’s a good adventuring area of cyclists and families.
The Bath to Stratford upon Avon trail is a joy for any level of cyclist. It’s a route that really takes you away from it all, with serene roads, and some great views too. The countryside here is very much an idyllic slice of England, and there are a number of Georgian buildings along the way too, making it a cultural treat even before you reach Shakespeare’s birthplace. Of course once you’re there you can chill out by the beautiful river and perhaps take in a play.
The Forest of Dean route is a great way to see some interesting wildlife, and some varied scenery, without things being too strenuous. The fact that there are few uphill sections to the suggested course means it’s ideal even for young children. The trails have been built especially for cyclists and are well marked, so you’ve got no excuse for getting lost, but that doesn’t means it’s a boring ride; expect tracks that run alongside old railway lines and many a pretty picnic site too.
This is just a small demonstration of the trails out there. Everyone has their own personal favourite if they’ve been cycling for a while, and the best way to get into them is to go to as many as possible, but these few are a really good start.
Make sure you have all the safety equipment you need before you set out on your trail. We recommend you wear a Giro Xen helmet.
Alien Abduction Report – Specialized Low-cost BMX Bike Stolen
May 16, 2011
I’ll tell you somewhat tale about me once i was a lad! I was abducted by aliens in my house town of Newcastle! Think me this was essentially the most crazy days of my life. It occurred in 1942 inside a small suburb of Newcastle. It started one particular sunny day, me and my best buddy Tommy were sitting on a wall watching the soldiers march. The soldiers had been marching for hours so me and Tommy got a little chilly and hungry so we decided we really need to go residence and grab some dripping and bread.
We grabbed our inexpensive specialized bmx bikes from the local bike shop and began to ride down southwall street. This can be going to sound weird but we passed by means of some sort of barrier. You understand if you search by way of fire and it looks wavy, that’s what this barrier resembled. When we passed through the barrier what I saw can only be described as many different “horrible creatures”.
Their had been 3 to 4 unique types of creatures, a single was incredibly hair and looked like major foot,one was a tall grey humanoid and one particular was a massive fat bulbous creature with two tentacles obtruding from his head. The 4th type was quite shocking. He appeared to be a very handsome man with stunning features,blonde hair with blue eyes. It was wearing a red robe with gold trimming. He mentioned to each me and tommy that he need to come with us or threat or will both might be exterminated.
We duly followed, to where this blonde alien proceeded to take blood from the back of my neck. He warned me if I moved, I would die immediately. He carried out many different other tests and then he left me to wait in a totally white room using a blue light within the middle. The bulbous alien appeared following about ten minutes and escorted me out from the ship. Tommy was outside waiting for me.
The ship lifted off and was gone within seconds. Each me and Tommy agreed that we would not tell anyone regarding the incident. It also seems that the aliens stole my bike as we could not uncover it on inspection. So their you might have it,an incredible tale. I have never told anyone to this day, so take my story and pass it on. Thank you for reading.
Rutland Cycling are one of Specialized bikes main shops. Specialized sell alot of stuff from pumps to bikes also protection items. They are one of the best brands in the cycling world.
Folding Mountain Bicycles That Really Perform Well
April 14, 2011
Before it would have been virtually laughable: A folding mountain bike? Nice idea, you most likely thought, but it would not really work. At present however, partly as a result of daily commuters on the lookout for ingenious and sustainable new methods of traveling in the city, folding mountain bikes aren’t only accessible, they’re actually popular!
The general concept of a foldable bike is simple: Take a quality bicycle frame, complete with all of the comforts and innovations of modern day mountain bikes, and design it in such a way that it can be compacted quickly and easily when not in use. Most foldable mountain bikes in today’s market operate with locking mechanisms, allowing the frame and all additional components to be sturdy and reliable during use, but facilitating quick folding motions (whereby the front and back wheels fold in towards the frame and re-lock in their new folded positions) that result in about the third of the bulk of a regular sized bicycle.
If you are new to the folding bike concept, you might question the point of a foldable bicycle. For individuals with limited storage space however, the idea is ingenious, since when not in use, the folded version of the bike could be stored in a closet, under a bed, in a car trunk or in some other inconspicuous area of the home. Individuals that combine their commuting methods will also find great use in this new innovation, since hopping on the subway or bus after a ride takes a matter of minutes, and cannot be disallowed by transit authorities concerned about excessive bulk. Finally, if you are concerned about locking your bicycle outdoors during the workday, being able to fold it up and store it under your desk is an ideal solution.
There are several brands and models of the folding mountain bike available. A number of popular bikes, which have garnered positive reviews from consumers on the internet, are the Lock N Roll and the Columba full sized folding mountain bikes. Each have 26-inch frames, with the Columba fabricated from strong metal and weighing in at thirty seven pounds and the Lock N Roll bicycle being made from alloy and weighing in at just thirty five pounds. Both types also have eighteen gears. The Columba brand has added features like double suspension, for especially uneven terrain, and foldable pedals. These additional features make it an excellent bicycle for the slightly more daring city cyclists.
Folding mountain bikes aren’t ideally suited for every rider. In case you are particularly interested in terrain riding, trick riding, or maybe extended bike journeys, then a more typical frame will likely be more appropriate for the conditions you might want to deal with. For lower-impact city riding nevertheless, a folding bike may be just the commuting solution you may have been waiting for.
If you are interested in finding the best deal on folding mountain bikes, as they can be somewhat pricey, then read this folding mountain bikes review.
Just what bicycle brand shall I buy
March 22, 2011
Choosing the best bike generally is a challenge particularly with lots of brands growing out their peculiar called technology looking to trick you into buying that certain road bike because it features “hyperformed” tubing.
In addition to having to struggle these confusing systems, theres additionally the decision between not 2 materials but 4! All offering different variants as well as shapes based on manufacturer. Probably the most complicated of the materials is obviously carbon fibre, most companies will try to market a poor mountain bikes at an expensive price because even the seat is made of carbon! Well enough im here to give you the definitive help guide to buying mountain bikes.
First off you need to pick a material for your frame, although carbon is the lightest material available, present day aluminium frames come exceptionally close with the only difference being around 30 seconds over Thirty mile trips, barely worth double the price in my book. As well as the two classics mountain bikes also come in the comfortable steel as well as titanium.
For overall performance, titanium is the only way to go, with carbon a close second. The most cost effective option though is aluminium, low cost & relatively light you will get far better mountain bikes than the others can offer for a fraction of the price.
Now that you’ve the mountain bike frame sorted, you need to choose the right elements, because of the insufficient suspension the most crucial of those components on the road bike is the drivetrain, Sram & Shimano would be the two massive participants here, with no variations between the companies the options mostly is dependant on unique choice. Sram offer more high end race ready components than Shimano but are often however are for the similar degree of efficiency where as Shimano offers the same performance at slightly better value which makes them the option for many road bikes. If you have loads of cash to waste then pick Campagnolo, expensive yet among the better components ever made for a mountain bike.
After the frames and drivetrain the only major choice left will be the wheels, some companies compete in this area making value & quality readily available with Fulcrum providing the best possible set of mountain bike wheels. Combining these wheels with either Maxxis or Continental tyres and you have an ideal mountain bikesroad bike all set for racing.
Finding all these choices on 1 mountain bikes could be a challenge so look for the one which comes closest and upgrade with time if you feel the need for
Places You Can Consider For Mountain Biking
March 20, 2011
Are you looking for some thrill and excitement? If yes, then mountain biking is the thing for you. To get started with mountain cycling, the first step is to look for adequate places for a similar. Of course, there are a lot of options when talking about choosing a place for mountain biking. But, if you are looking for a rememberable experience, then there are some places that better serve the purpose.
If you are hot for ‘mountain biking’, you must have definitely heard Moab, Utah. This place is best when it comes to the terrain that is perfect for trail cycling. It is the best on earth. This peak has a huge variety of trails and terrains which makes it the right place for all kinds of bike riders, amateurs and the experts. Riding on these peaks would give you a great experience and a lovely tan all over your body. It is recommended that you wear protective clothing prior to going for a ride. Also, you can try the Zenmed Derma Cleanse System to treat the issue completely.
Some of the hottest trails of Moab include the Amasa and Sovereign Back, Intrepid Trail system, Klondike Buffs and Slickrock Trail. Each one of these trail cycling spots have their own set of merits. For instance, the Slickrock Trail is the ideal choice for those with superior technical training in trail cycling. The trail draws around 10,000 bike riders each year. On the other hand, the Intrepid Trail system and Klondike Buffs offer a technically easy ride and therefore are, most interesting to newbie mountain bike riders.
Another electrifying location for mountain is the Fruita, Colorado. This peak has a big trial of some hundred miles. This place is perfect for the ones aiming at weight loss ; it will help you burn all of the additional fat in your body. To improve your weight control process, you can consider the Dietrine Carb Blocker. Well, if you don’t wish to ride that much, you can take the 18 Road Trails. This trail will leave you astounded by the beauty of Fruita.
The Book Cliff trails are the best shot for those looking for a tranquil and relaxing mountain cycling experience. The scenic wonder of the Grand Valley Basin adds to the peacefulness of the ride. Expert bike riders may desire to head on over to the ‘Edge Loop’ though for a more exciting riding experience. This Appointed Global Mountain Cycling Association Epic Trail offers bike riders a tight single track that is good for pro riders. Ensure you have hospital insurance before heading out on this actual trail.
Other great trail biking spots include the Park City in Utah and Asheville in North Carolina. Heading to either of these places is sure to make your trail cycling experience a stellar one.
Here is some more information on Zenmed Derma Cleanse System and Medical Insurance.
Spring has sprung into action and Rutland Cycling is filling up fast with new cycle clothing lines.
March 19, 2011
Fox have just delivered new Flux Helmets with their all conquering review winning Sergeant shorts (72 yet still value for money for Trail Riders), alongside them would be the Attack (long and short sleeve) jersey, the Race (black and blue versions) and Race Air Cool jerseys and the fantastic Race Sock for that budget conscious Mtb Rider. New listings are stored on our website (www.rutlandcycling.com) now and even more are going to be added as the stock arrives.
Kona loving roadies have not been left out as we’ve sent a tasty little stash of Campagnolo Heritage clothing down to our Grafham Water branch, little gems such as the Heritage BIbshort, long zip jersey and the superb Heritage windproof vest, the Campagnolo caps are also back in stock in 5 different colours.
Coming in 2010 large quantities could be the Impact 2, Impact 2 Sam Hill plus the Baron super sticky soled shoes from our friends at 510-a firm favourite with his downhill chums as well as an all-round great shoe for everyone who is doesn’t like the thought of cycling clipped into SPD pedals. Slightly at odds with their business would be the brand-new Minnaar version, a sticky soled shoe which will create a cleat! Have 510 lost the plot, have they just pandered to a couple whines and whinges from magazine reviews? We feel not, it’s a well considered shoe that really fill the requirements of many cyclists and wanabee downhill freaks, a fantastic cheap shoe however the typical 510 quality shines through.
Whilst on the subject of shoes have a look at the huge Lake shoe clearance we have, available on-line, on our E-Bay store and a selection at Whitwell and our Giant Store Normanton, we bought every last pair the distributer had left at daft prices and are passing them on at sensible prices.
3T Clothing is likewise available on-line, a little tight personal choice of roadie based garments designed and built around a super-fit professional cycling team the number offers most of the performance of team kit that a discerning rider would expect. It’s worth noting that much like usual with replica and team kits which the sizing is a touch around the small side, if in doubt about your size put on or order one size larger than normal (unless you’ve bought this sort of kit before_.
Have a good week,
Clothing Hound.
Kona mountain bikes are available on the internet at amazing prices. Make sure to shop around but heres a little tip try out Rutland Cycling. They have all you need to get a amazing selection of bike clothing and equipment at amazing prices.
Mountain Biking around Rutland Water A Good Day Out
March 18, 2011
Rutland Water is Britain’s largest manmade lake. Created within the 1970′s to deliver water to be a reservoir to surrounding areas there is since turn into a mecca for birding, walkers and cycling. A smart man from Rutland Cycling saw the potential several years ago being a place to go for cyclists and set up a small cycle hire business which includes now grown into a trendy destination for things cycling.
Arrive at the Whitwell shop situated on the North Shore you can rent any kind of bicycle you want from a standard comfort bike , an electric bike for those who want to take it easy to a top of the range full suspension mountain bikeswith a retail price on it of over 5000! Now being in the East Midlands the call for a full suspension mountain bike is little to none – but they look cool and fork technology today allows for proper lockout so you are not wasting your energy.
That’s not saying that rutland water ‘s all flat concrete footpaths. Head during an anticlockwise direction from Whitwell and you’ll soon have the famous bluebell forest allowing you for some low level off roading as well as the odd jump – not forgetting the spectacular carpet of bluebells that you could view (though only for a couple weeks of the season!).
A complete course, like the peninsula can be a respectable 26 miles using a nice mix of hills, flat and therefore the odd obstacle to maintain things interesting – this means there’s two main pubs along the way round – it’s intended for families after all!
Obtain a good day and you may take in a bike ride, stop for any pub lunch and perhaps kick a ball around . There’s a golf course, sailing club and plenty of places to dangle your rod. It’s very visible why lots of people and events is seen here practically anytime. The year of 2010 has so far seen the British Cycling National Trophy race for individuals who compete in cyclocross. If you should see the most effective cycling shops in great britain you wont be disappointed in doing what you should purchase at Rutland Cycling – I didn’t know you can actually buy a bike for 1000! Without recieve an engine in it!
Kona have an awesome selection of mountain bikes and they are all for sale at this Whitwell store. Clothing, parts and accessories can all be bought online and through Rutland Cycling’s four physical stores.
Kona Big Kahuna 2011 Review – Please Comment and offer Me Your notions
March 16, 2011
For 2011 Kona expanded their exposure inside the big wheel market using the 2011 Big Kahuna. Featuring unique features this new breed of bike is represented well written by this bike although less powerful riders may have a problem with the greater wheels.
Kona decided to roll out with backswept bars regarding their new 29er which in addition to the steep seat angle use a strange riding position which are often slightly uncomfortable every so often, although the natural off-road riding feel an excellent is normally value the slight discomfort.
When operating the rough stuff, the forks in addition to the stiff frame takes it’s toll within your wrist & feet making long rides somewhat not possible, although the selling point of this is a nimble frame which is certainly highly responsive, but hardly the best of all possible worlds.
Despite the presence of the particularly smooth easton wheelset the quality of ride usually is poor, something you can’t really cope with with any 1500 bike. The main upset of this Kona could possibly be the weight, featuring steel all around the frame to include strength the bike feels heavy when riding then when as well as the 29″ wheels it may be a real struggle to have the bike up anything in addition to the short grunt climbs.
One main good thing about the Kona Big Kahuna 29 is the fact each one of these problems, bar the load may be upgraded as required, although expensive compared to buying a more complex 29er for example the Giant XTC. Along with a big frame & wheel combination combined with perfect geometry the Kona Big Kahuna can be an obvious option for powerful riders and although it isn’t perfect, one of our advised bicycles for 2011.
Kona are one of the top cycling brands across the UK. Please click throughon the phrase Kona to go through to an amazing selection of bikes and accessories at very good prices.
Mountain Biking With Kona! Even Enjoyment While it’s raining! Fact!
March 15, 2011
Grabbing the existing Kona out of your shed has never been simple when its pouring it down with rainfall, but needs must. Strapping the bike into the back of the car got me completely soaked (good thing I obtained changed later on).Going 20 miles towards the local trail I whipped the Kona from the back and starting making my way via the gloopy mesh which is mud, winter could very well be on the way out but i am not saying the trails are becoming drier. After 5 minutes of slow progress I had put together to end in order to the mud in the forks, hardly the best of starts, regardless I sustained slogging until I purchased from the wood section, thank god with the sun.
The wet gloopy mesh in which the Kona struggled is now behind me, leaving a dry single track between me and the end of the ride, perfect conditions to nail it, for the first time this year! Getting back on the good old Kona never felt better, although I felt the pace after 15 minutes of pure speed it was defiantly worth getting the bike out of the shed.
About halfway through the trip I saw my first sign of life, another mad idiot out on his bike (just like me) although he was on a Giant instead of a trusty Kona, which is probably why it looked like he was having more fun. I decided to have a quick chat then race him to the end of the route.
Even though Kona poured out every stop I simply wasn’t fit enough to keep up and the man eventually blasted past with ease, a shame considering I was feeling up for any race. By the end with the track I slapped the Kona around the back with the car and headed home, puncture free!
Consequently it had become a pleasurable ride and although there are better bikes around than my 2005 Kona, will still be fun and fast to ride!
Cycle parts can be bought by following on the cycle parts word located in this sentence. Look at some of the UK’s best deals from an amazing independent bike store. Have a look!